I have vacuum sealed vanilla beans in my pantry that is over a year old, when I was going to use them back when I first got it my husband drank my bottle of vodka and never replaced it (please no comments on why I didn’t do it myself I know how some people are they ignore the question and go straight to judgement) the beans have no mold and they look fine so if I were to open the package and smell and then use it would this be a good bottle to use, I don’t feel like going through the hassle of figuring out which brand is best or ideal I just want something homemade unless you have suggestions
by Affectionate_Yam9129
3 Comments
I sometimes use bourbon in my vanilla extract. I think it’s delicious.
I wouldn’t. For an extract you want a high proof alcohol like everclear that is around 75-95% ethanol, jack daniels and other brown liquors are more like 40%. That means a lot of water that will absorb non-desirable flavors into the mix, and also just be less effective at dissolving the flavors you want from the vanilla. Add to that that Tennessee honey is sweetened with a honey flavor and you have the whiskey flavor and the honey flavor competing with the vanilla flavor on top of it being weak and muddled by non-desirable water soluble flavors.
I don’t see why not but it’ll have a different flavor than using vodka, which gives a more natural flavor. I’ve read of people using bourbon and getting a more smokey flavor but the important thing is the proof with the FDA recommending anything over 70 proof.